Kelly Gibbons, artist and writer, about me

Monday, January 17, 2005

Good Morning, Happy Monday!

On Friday night I fell asleep thinking the most wonderful thoughts, I'm an artist. I know I said it before, but getting to that point of really believing this has been hard. For a long time I compared myself to other artists, and frankly, in my mind I didn't measure up. Oh, if only I could paint like them. Guess what I finally figured out? It ain't gonna happen. Why? Because I am not them. The only person I am ever going to paint like is Kelly Gibbons.

This weekend, one of my daughters asked me if I thought my art work was better than someone else's? And I said, without hesitation, "No, I don't. I can't compare my artwork to anyone else. Their artwork is their own, as mine is my own. The only person I can compare it to is me. If my work is better than it was six months ago, then I'm on the right track." It is, and I am. I feel it.

So, how did I get to this point? By creating for the sake of creating. I stopped worrying about how to sell my work. I stopped comparing my work to other people's. I painted. I experimented. I let the artwork guide me, and I didn't try to control it. I just let it happen. Creating art for no reason other than joy of creating it has been a wonderful experience.

I must give credit where credit is due. The wonderful comments I recieved helped, a lot. Thank you. And Illustration Friday has been a huge part of this creative process. It has challenged me to express my creativity and try new things, and I have seen myself grow as an artist because of it. I encourage all artists (and everyone who wants to be an artist) to try it. There is an artist in all of us, so go express yourself.

Since this worked so well for the artist in me, I am going to try it with the writer in me by participating in Writing Friday. I encourage others to do the same.

So photographers don't feel left out I'll include Photo Friday(I think this one started it all). This one will be my next challenge.

For you indecisive and jack of all trade types, there is The Writing Parent. You choose how you want to express yourself, art, writing or photography.

Here are the current themes for each:

Illustration Friday, due Jan. 21 The Seasons

Writing Friday, due Jan. 21 Food, and due Jan. 28 Road Trip

The Writing Parent, week of Jan. 17, Green

Photo Friday, current challenge, Signs

No excuses, there is a challenge for everyone. Get out there and get creative.

posted by Kelly @ 1/17/2005 09:05:00 AM

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